KARACHI: A radical overhaul of Pakistan’s communications framework appears to be on the cards — or at least that is what Beijing and Islamabad have envisioned under their Long Term Plan (LTP) for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

A closer examination of the LTP document obtained in June by Dawn reveals intentions for a revamped communications framework, which includes components such as a fibre optic cable connecting Pakistan and China, a new submarine landing station for internet traffic flow, and digital TV for all.

The roadmap, which was developed from November 2013 to December 2015 by officials and experts from both countries, contains a detailed 21-page outline specific to communications – a plan envisioned to span up to 15 years, starting in 2016 and concluding in 2030.

The most critical component is a new, upgraded fibre optic cable network which spans Pakistan and crosses the border to connect directly with China.

A cross-border venture

As outlined in the master plan, the cross-border fibre optic cable will address multiple challenges faced by China and Pakistan.

Firstly, it says it will handle the anticipated increase in communication between the two countries. With “deepening comprehensive strategic cooperation” comes the need to establish fast, reliable connectivity – and perhaps most critically – communication that is not routed through Europe, the United States or India.

China also has in mind its own increasing international telecommunications service demands which, if not addressed, may end up exposing “a huge gap” in China’s international bandwidth.

If actualised according to the LTP, the new network will be beneficial to Pakistan by improving internet penetration and increasing speed, especially in Balochistan and Gilgit-Baltistan, regions where internet connectivity has ranged from poor to non-existent. It should also reduce the cost of internet connections.

Additionally, linking with the rest of the world through China will help reduce Pakistan’s dependence on undersea cables that carry the country’s internet traffic. In cases where the undersea cables develop a fault — as has occurred in the past — the document says another route would be in place.

More broadly, the new network would provide landlocked central Asian states a new, shorter and more cost-effective route for connectivity.

A security concern

The existing fibre optic network through which Pakistan connects to the world has been developed by a consortium that has Indian companies either as partners or shareholders.

This is viewed as a security concern e.g. when it comes to surveillance of communication. As recently as January this year, Director General Special Communications Organisation (SCO) Maj Gen Amir Azeem Bajwa informed the National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology that some incoming and outbound internet traffic landed in India before being routed to its destinations, posing a security risk for Pakistan.

It appears that by routing through China, the state is planning to reduce such security risks related to India. This would however increase the same risks from China itself. The Chinese model of internet regulation could potentially also impact freedom of speech and access to information for Pakistani users.

Through Khunjerab

The LTP states that the cross-border optical cable will start from China’s Tashkurgan Tajik Autonomous County and travel 135km to connect to Pakistan. It will then pass through Khunjerab and travels 125km to the town of Sust in Gilgit-Baltistan. The cable then further travels 650km to link to Islamabad. From here, the new cable could link to Pakistan’s existing network.

The project was inaugurated in May 2016 by then prime minister Nawaz Sharif. According to the official CPEC site, the cost of the ongoing construction is an estimated $44 million. As of September 2017, the progress update states that 450km of the total 820km has been laid down and the remaining stretch will be completed by December 2017.

Connecting to Gwadar

It also appears that connectivity till the capital isn’t the end goal in the LTP. The plan also includes carrying out improvements on the 804km long backbone transmission network from Sukkur to Gwadar.

In the long term, a second route of the cable network is scheduled to be constructed anew from Sukkur to Gwadar. This second route spanning 370km is critical to “forming a loop with the existing optical cables to enhance network security”.

From Gwadar to the world

The LTP also envisions a plan to remedy the danger of internet disruption due to any accident at Pakistan’s only submarine cable landing station. Currently, the undersea fibre optic cables that carry all internet traffic connect to one landing station located at Karachi. A major accident at the station can result in disruption of the internet across the entire country.

To address this, a new submarine cable landing station at Gwadar Port is planned to be built to “enhance security of the international communications network in Pakistan”. According to the plan, the Gwadar station would cover an area of about 10,000 square metres.

A feasibility study in the short-term will be followed up by construction from 2021-2030. Chairman of the National Telecommunication Corporation (NTC) Viqar Rashid Khan said in September last year that work has already started on the project.

Switch to digital TV

The introduction of terrestrial Digital TV with a network “covering over 90%” of Pakistan’s population is another key project of the LTP, set to be complete by 2020. To this end, Chinese enterprises will provide Pakistan with Digital Terrestrial Multimedia Broadcast (DTMB) technology to enable the switch to digital TV.

This is an indication of Beijing and Islamabad’s enthusiasm to bring an advanced technology like China’s DTMB that allows broadcasting in standard definition and high definition to deliver a larger quantity of TV channels at higher quality.

If the plan is implemented, it will be a major upgrade from terrestrial TV broadcasting in Pakistan. It will also likely have great impact on the media industry, changing revenue models and programming. Cable operators who offer only cheap, low quality connections will also be affected.

According to the LTP, the project is divided into four phases; phase one covering Islamabad and surrounding areas; phase two covering other major cities, such as Karachi and Lahore; phase three entails coverage of other densely populated areas, while the final phase aims to cover all of Pakistan, including remote areas.

In the LTP, Digital TV is noted to be “a cultural transmission carrier” that will introduce Chinese culture to Pakistan. It is stated that eight sets of “programmes” have been determined and more will be added as required. The programmes have not been named.

To this end, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and China’s National Development and Reform Commission had signed an MoU on implementing China’s DTMB network in Pakistan. PTV and ZTE, a multinational telecommunications equipment and systems company headquartered in China, also signed an agreement to carry out pilot projects to implement DTMB in Islamabad and other areas.

According to the CPEC website, a pilot project of DTMB has been completed at a cost of $2 million. The demonstration project is currently “with Chinese side” and is being processed.

E-government expansion

Connectivity is paired with governance in the master plan, which envisions the construction of a large-scale national data centre for “centralised management of e-government data and safe network operation”. The facility is slated to be built in northern Pakistan between 2016 and 2020. It will occupy a total area of 8,000 square metres.

The centre could provide many services and solutions to the government and other key organisations in terms of hosting important data, managing communications, providing internet access, assisting in surveillance, implementing IT applications and delivering online services to citizens. In the long term, the project entails the construction of backup data centres to be built in other cities.

Additionally, the LTP says a network for e-government will be built to establish channels from Islamabad to the provincial governments. Public access to government departments and agencies, including metropolitan departments of different towns and cities will be increased.

Last year, the National Telecommunication Corporation (NTC) inaugurated the ‘first ever’ National Data Centre of Pakistan in Islamabad at an event organised by Huawei. In March this year, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Centre of Excellence was inaugurated in Islamabad by Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Ahsan Iqbal and Ambassador of China to Pakistan, Sun Weidong.

Safe living in ‘safe cities’

The communications plan also focuses on urban security, as network infrastructure will be used to prevent criminal and terrorist activities, “through sophisticated monitoring, smart alert systems and visual command and dispatch”.

This will involve the installation of surveillance cameras, explosive detectors and scanners covering major roads, sensitive areas and crowded localities. The information from these devices will be transmitted in real-time to a control centre where staff will monitor, record and take action when necessary.

The plan does not identify who will staff the centre, a key concern related to possible misuse of such technology, and the extent to which China will be involved in internal security.

Listing Peshawar as a starting point, the project will extend to the major cities based on its success. The LTP also identifies an added advantage of the project i.e. assisting in the establishment of a platform to manage public services in safe cities such as digital city management, road transportation management and other systems.

In February this year, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Pervez Khattak had called on the home, planning and development, police officials and representatives of the Chinese company tasked with executing the Peshawar Safe City project to speed up work on the project. The CM was talking to the vice president of the Chinese company. In March, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government signed multiple agreements with Chinese investment companies in which Smart and Safe City projects worth $2bn were included.

Aside from Peshawar, other Safe City projects are at various stage of completion.

Islamabad’s Safe City project was completed and inaugurated in June last year, although it was approved in 2009 by the PPP government after an agreement with China that included a $124 million soft loan under the condition that equipment would be bought from Chinese companies.

In October last year, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said the first phase of Lahore’s Safe City Project had been completed. He said this had been accomplished in collaboration with Chinese company Huawei that was paid Rs12 billion to execute the project.

In August, the Sindh government announced the launch of a “video surveillance project” that would become part of Karachi’s Safe City project. Costing Rs10 billion, a total of 10,000 high-definition cameras will be installed at 2,000 spots in Karachi.

Transformation through training

The LTP states that capacity building and talent cultivation in information and communication technologies will include training 2,000 professionals, of whom 200 will go to China, while the rest will be trained at Chinese training centres in Pakistan.

It is envisioned that the construction of a China-Pakistan Technical Training Centre will form the training base for the telecommunication/technology industry. In the long term, the local training centre may be built into a college or university. In case a training centre cannot be built, the fall-back plan is to have Chinese communication enterprises and Pakistani universities jointly provide technical training.

A mechanism will also be established to train Pakistani technicians with China’s resources, such as training at Chinese institutions of higher learning and institutions of communication equipment enterprises. Exchanges will also extend to top management of Pakistan’s Ministry of Information Technology and China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology to share experience and achieve common development across multiple fields.

CHINA’S COMMUNICATIONS FOOTPRINT IN PAKISTAN

Information reproduced from the master plan document

CMPak operating under the brand name Zong, is owned by China Mobile. It has grown to be the third largest mobile communication operator in Pakistan.

Huawei holds the largest share of the communications equipment market (45%) and cooperates with five major domestic operators. It also has three training centers in Pakistan.

ZTE Corporation has nine branch offices in Pakistan with more than 220 Chinese staff and over 620 local employees. It has cooperative relations with 85 local subcontractors.

This is good for setting up the base for success stories of IT revolution in Pakistan. But handling over the internet completely to China would give too much control to them. This allows to alter public opinion towards a particular government or thought process. It's prudent to keep this control within the country.

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Lala

Oct 01, 2017 09:18am

Thinking routing thru China is safer.. good luck!!!!

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nkc nkc

Oct 01, 2017 09:28am

with little help from our chinese friends we will be self reliant soon...also important that out children start learning chinese as that is the language of the future ..

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karar

Oct 01, 2017 09:29am

Instead of criticizing people should be thankful for Chinese efforts to make Pakistan safe and free from evils of foreign internet operators. Well it dose cost a little like surrendering own privacy to China, so what it worth it.

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Arjob Mukherjee

Oct 01, 2017 09:47am

Why is every development in Pakistan is happening with China in the forefront? It also seems that even the common people think China is the only good and everyone are bad...

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Dilawar

Oct 01, 2017 09:47am

Sounds impressive! But the question remains that will all this extensive work be done without corruption and on merit base?

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Aslam Beig

Oct 01, 2017 09:50am

What an interesting project! Just like NIA investigation. Noting visible from outside. From daily 50 times to now once in a month, CPEC news has come long way. No politician or general talking about it.

Please ensure at least some news reach public sometime or public will forget it. CPEC Zindabad.......but how to keep it Zinda?

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Abdullah

Oct 01, 2017 09:57am

I'm pretty convinced that nothing can go wrong than what has already happened to Pakistan with America's friendship. It doesn't matter if chinese take the control now as long as they're investing in Pakistan, making it better than yesterday and terrorism free.

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Muneer

Oct 01, 2017 10:32am

Routing communication through a country is a matter of trust and availability of technology. India is totally untrustworthy . LTP is a welcome step.

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haroon

Oct 01, 2017 10:40am

Well come East China Company

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Ahmed

Oct 01, 2017 10:40am

Communication is now a basic infrastructure... Lets hope India too sees oppertunity and work together to eliminate poverty from the region

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Sameer

Oct 01, 2017 10:41am

Exactly how many jobs in the telecom sector has it brought? I cant see anyone in the masses benefiting for this. Curbing freedom by consistent oversight is not what I had in mind.

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Al-Bakar

Oct 01, 2017 10:51am

All of surveillance data from Pakistan will go to China. Unless we manufacture our own equipment based on the ones from notorious Huawei. That would ensure we're not using rigged equipment.

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Logical dude

Oct 01, 2017 10:54am

@Abdullah Amazed at your logic of forgoing the hard won independence and becoming a ]client state of China. Happy at development but the cost of development should not outweigh its benefit.

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Shah Noor

Oct 01, 2017 10:59am

Nawaz Sharief is a visionary leader, regardless of what his detractors has to say, he has put Pakistan on a fast track of development.

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Syed Fasih Ur Rahman

Oct 01, 2017 11:09am

i am all for CPEC . China is far much better than America. we relied on US for 40 years what after that we got ? continuous declination of a nation . We are now on verge to be declared as a failed state or irresponsible one. if they deliver what they said or at least 60% of it, Pakistan will be a different country by all means. Indians please don't show ur concerns .. we don't need that from you

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Durgesh

Oct 01, 2017 11:10am

Idea of china making it infrastructure looks good but routing from china can be dangerous due to tough internet censorship is there. You may not able to use facebook, google, twitter, Quora or anything which is made by other than Chinese people (copycat). This is the beginning of new type of colonisation. All the best.

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Iron Brothers

Oct 01, 2017 11:17am

Good going CPEC. Pakistan has definitely taken the right route.

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Imtiaz

Oct 01, 2017 11:18am

Transformation to digital economy is in the offing. It will start a new era in history of Pakistan. But with all this, sovereignty must not be affected.

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Thiru

Oct 01, 2017 11:34am

The areligious Chinese economic, political and cultural influence in, even takeover of Pakistan is interest of the Pakistani society and the world.

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Thiru

Oct 01, 2017 11:37am

@Abdullah Chinese will ensure only safe communication passes through and that will reduce terrorism.

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D Dash

Oct 01, 2017 11:46am

Wow!!!Amazing!!! I am a wellwisher of both Pakistan & India but now I can only see how China can virtually control entire Pakistan in a few years.First of all CPEC is not an investment, It is a loan with 8% guaranteed interest. Let me ask dear Pakistani Frnds folowing Questions : 1)How many Pakistanis have gained Employment in Chinese Firms?? 2)How many joint ventures have happened between business houses of Pakistan & China.
To be Truthfull, all I can see is that in future Chinese will set up businesses in employing Chinese cheap labours,Products will be exported from Gwadar to the entire world,Everything that Pakistan government will get from tolls and taxes will be used up to pay 8% interest to Chinese.
So basically Chinese will employ Chinese laborers in Pakistan's land , take away the profits and get 8% interest on the profit margin. What will Pakistan get except some Power Plants and some roads to boast about.

Can somebody care to explain??

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Mumtaz Qureshi

Oct 01, 2017 11:47am

from this article is is paramount to learn Chinese language by our kids. In foreseeable future ,multiple options will be there in every app ,either go for English or Chinese. After some time ,English will be replace by Chinese one for all.

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Matt

Oct 01, 2017 11:48am

@Khan No concern mate. Everybody uses Chinese products. You had military dictatorship for years and you see the results now. Similarly, having Chinese as virtual masters, your future generations will see the after-effects.

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Shan

Oct 01, 2017 12:03pm

@Mumtaz Qureshi. Totally agree learning chinese is going to be paramount. Good thing is that wont be too difficult

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Saif Zulfiqar

Oct 01, 2017 12:06pm

@Arjob Mukherjee You do not have anybody to help you and that is why India's GDP is down and India's economy is in recession.

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Patience

Oct 01, 2017 12:09pm

The average Pakistani would always welcome high-speed, low-cost connectivity but it shouldn't be at the cost of 'The Great Firewall of China' where internet censorship rules supreme.

This onslaught of Chinese programming on Digital TV is another area of concern. It's ok as long as it follows principles of modern journalism presenting all view points.

In the end Pakistan needs to have an independent connectivity and broadcast strategy that focusses on introducing new technology early and without dependence on other countries for access or to make it cost-effective. It's not unheard of and quite possible, if only we have the will.

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vin

Oct 01, 2017 12:10pm

@wahid
That would be better than Indian culture.

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Sami

Oct 01, 2017 12:11pm

@D Dash Jumping into conclusions is what both in pak and India a common practice. What and see what cpec really gives out.

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abdullah khuhro

Oct 01, 2017 12:15pm

E-government expansion is the need of time but before opting to it we have to develop our office culture as we are IT at moment but we not benefiting from it.The failure is of mindset we are not inclined to render service but to cause hindrance in the delivery of service.First change the style of work then then speed up.

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GK

Oct 01, 2017 12:17pm

CPEC is the game changer and China is our iron brother

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Vikas

Oct 01, 2017 12:28pm

Pakistan the richest and most powerful nation on earth. Way to go. CPEC! CPEC! CPEC!.

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Faisal Sayeed

Oct 01, 2017 12:28pm

This was a very interesting read....indeed an eye opener for many of us who live away from mother land. But it also rings some alarm bells....I wonder how many fellow Pakistanis are aware of these critical projects....seemingly singed, sealed and delivered by our governments without any public or indeed 3rd party scrutiny. Isn't it imperative for the democratic governments to discuss some these projects in public forums? Should we not be given the opportunity to get some insights from our own experts? I know we have plenty of talent to do a objective analysis...after all this is a matter of National Security!

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ARSHAD ,Canada

Oct 01, 2017 12:29pm

@Arjob Mukherjee, Dear it was not too long ago you were almost 90 percent at the mercy of the USSR.At present we have mix of technology from every country.

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ARSHAD ,Canada

Oct 01, 2017 12:35pm

@Dilawar,There will be some kickbacks and corruption but at least new development is coming and the Chinese are very much anti corruption. But, you seem to be suggesting that do not build any thing due to corruption. With a few exceptions , there are coruprrutin all over the World big level or small.

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Safaraaz

Oct 01, 2017 12:37pm

@karar yes Chinese belongs to our race...right and they are not foreigners

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izhar

Oct 01, 2017 12:38pm

Excellent article! We as a nation become skeptical and see everything with suspicion. which other country at the moment providing us technical and other assistance for our development except China.

Also on the other hand what, at the end, have we received from USA while being their allied since decades....only do more.... Be positive and chill.

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Farhan

Oct 01, 2017 12:54pm

@wahid How about Hollywood and Bollywood movies and television shows bombarded on Pakistan on a daily basis ? I'm sure you watch none of these.

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sajed syed

Oct 01, 2017 12:55pm

@nkc nkc , So true, all colonised countries shall learn Chinese for their own good.

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shafi

Oct 01, 2017 01:06pm

First of all safe cities project security should be in chinese hand, second is that Pakistan should try to control the incoming net, third is that common should be allowed to use West internet in order to keep freedom of speech secure, and govt organization use chinese one to escape secret documents from India or any one else

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talat

Oct 01, 2017 01:23pm

Can't wait for us to move forward ......... we have been static and been pulled backward centuries by some ............ time to move - good luck.

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Ravana

Oct 01, 2017 01:29pm

Pakistan must seize this opportunity to increase tele education than can liberate Pakistan society from intolerance to a rational one

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iMTIAZ ALI KHAN

Oct 01, 2017 01:39pm

China will become the world largest economy. Anything Pakistan can do to help it's neighbor and Pak population they should do. The world is a small village now education, connectivity and brotherly ties are the key to success along with good leadership which Pakistan needs.

No. They are not dangerous. However, there are good reasons why the European and American companies install their own firmware in Huawei network devices.

If it makes sense to you then you would know what it means for your internet traffic to be routed through China. Essentially Chinese will 'listen' to everything you do. But more dangerously they will also make you listen what they want you to listen.

I hope I am wrong but full colonisation of Pakistan is on.

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John

Oct 01, 2017 01:43pm

Is there something, anything that is not part of CPEC?

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NUST SEECS

Oct 01, 2017 02:11pm

Indian comments bring smile on my face, thanks for so much care

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zahid

Oct 01, 2017 02:14pm

We as a nation are not well skilled in digital euipment making and technologies. We have to have partnership with some country. China is the best option available. It will be good if other countries extend their help. China is on forefront to share his technologies. Criticizing China relentlessly makes sense only if we have many options on table.

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Zak

Oct 01, 2017 02:25pm

Project is great but even greater when it by passes india totally. Way to go pakistan.

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Zak

Oct 01, 2017 02:26pm

@Lala, thanks for your "good luck", and yes it will be safer. Good bye.

"The Chinese model of internet regulation could potentially also impact freedom of speech and access to information for Pakistani users." This is really a point of concern.

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jamal

Oct 01, 2017 03:07pm

and it would come with Chinese style censorship and surveillance?

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Dr . Asad Sadick

Oct 01, 2017 03:39pm

Why do you have to print the disqualified mans photo when you talk of Pak-China projects. If you have to name anyone then name Mushharraf who initiated this CPEC with China.,

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Ali

Oct 01, 2017 03:55pm

This sounds likes Chinese business vision 2025. They will be selling their every service to us. Do we have something to sell them?

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Atif

Oct 01, 2017 04:00pm

Pakistanis should be educated on how to behave when CPEC makes the country rich.

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Sami

Oct 01, 2017 04:10pm

To make Pakistan a sanctuary of tourists we must work on such projects related to our Security because when our home will be safe then many investors would be willing to invest in our country. UAE & Qatar are 2 examples for us.

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Rationalbabu

Oct 01, 2017 04:28pm

@jamal :
It would be a complete package!

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Kamran

Oct 01, 2017 04:44pm

We needs solid partnership to digital pakistan for future development. CHINA is only partner who provides help and assisrance to make our country progress come tru, well done china

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peace

Oct 01, 2017 04:55pm

Why Nawaz sharif on the heading?

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Rakesh

Oct 01, 2017 04:57pm

CPEC is useful only for China, thru this china will get Pakistan market and middle easy countries market along with Europe. What Pakistan will get ? At least Pakistan should earn a commission on the value of goods being exported by China thru Pakistan. China is very clever. Just used Pakistan for its gain.

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Akram

Oct 01, 2017 04:59pm

good to see the progress being made, though am a bit disappointed that digital TV has taken so long to roll out. However the reality is The Chinese are going to very much accelerate many digital industries and this will have a hugely positive knock on effect to Pakistan's economy. Imagine those in Gilgit able to access cheap and reliable broadband. This is a prelude to enabling production of IT services in these areas. Change is coming to Pakistan and its long overdue.

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Jagdish

Oct 01, 2017 05:01pm

@Hasan Pakistani worldview is always at odds with that of the world. Read global news.

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Akram

Oct 01, 2017 05:01pm

@wahid is it? or will it open up avenues for Pakistanis to understand and interact better with China the largest superpower of the 21st Century.

I suspect there will be negatives, but if you look at the big picture its a huge positive actually.

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Akram

Oct 01, 2017 05:07pm

@Sameer "I cant see anyone in the masses benefiting for this."

did you actually read the article above?

-> The services offered mean cheaper and more reliable internet to the whole country, especially in rural areas with poor current coverage. Cheap reliable internet promotes economic growth and leads to growth in software and IT services industry, this is a known fact from the west!
-> Digital HD TV services with interactivity providing more services to the public

thats just the two off the top of my head.

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Farooq

Oct 01, 2017 05:09pm

Good very good the people who feared cpec as east India company should remember the people under British Raj were more secured and prospersed

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Akram

Oct 01, 2017 05:12pm

@D Dash you really need to do the research and your questions will be answered, it is not for us to answer your questions.

1) but regarding employment CPEC is going to lead to at least 700, 000 jobs. There are new Special economic zones being built all over the country which will emply large numbers of locals.

2) you are asking about joint ventures there are some evidenced above in the article! Joint venture to set up training between Chinese companies and Pakistani Universities.

open your eyes and ears!

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ijaz ahmed SARDAR

Oct 01, 2017 05:18pm

Safe city will never be safe with only an installation of cameras and scanners. Cities will be safe if concern departments are effecient and start delivering. Police, Judicial, Munciapal corporations are way behind in the race. Mafias are all around without any fear. Parks, play grounds, libraries, sport clubs - drug control, transport safety, Robberies - any progress on these?

Any check and balance on Motorcycle production / licence issueing restrictions - which is a major cause of crime in Karachi streets and metro cities for decades and still continue un notice?

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Dani

Oct 01, 2017 05:24pm

@D Dash 1st of all Chinese labour isn't cheap as compared to Pak. 2nd the loan we are given by china has zero % interest. Let me give an example if china gives us 100 RS then we will return same value of money estimated 108 RS because of inflation etc we r not paying additional interest like others in the world.

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guest

Oct 01, 2017 05:26pm

@Durgesh "Idea of china making it infrastructure looks good but routing from china can be dangerous due to tough internet censorship is there. You may not able to use facebook, google, twitter, Quora or anything which is made by other than Chinese people (copycat). This is the beginning of new type of colonisation. All the best."

Most Indians wish they could get on good side of China like Pakistan but are stuck with US.

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Samir khan

Oct 01, 2017 05:34pm

Look at Pakistan’s fx reserves and pressure on the currency. Can we pay for the china project @8% interest for a project that is meant to benefit China more than us?

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Hasan

Oct 01, 2017 05:34pm

@Zak

"Project is great but even greater when it by passes india totally. Way to go pakistan."

My thoughts exactly. These hindustanis coming on here getting enraged is almost as much of a joy to behold as the development work that's transforming Pakistan before our very eyes. Long may they both continue!

Hasan

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nuanced

Oct 01, 2017 05:40pm

Forget the Indian 'naysayers'...just read the 'local' naysayers below who have nothing to do with India. I worry not about Chinese projects in Pakistan, if I were a Pakistani I would concern more about development beyond what I can absorb.
This seems like forcefeeding a malnourished person because I have food to provide. The malnourished person needs glucouse to reenergize first. Not a full meal with Biryani to start with. It will only cause dysentry as a next step

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vorshal

Oct 01, 2017 05:44pm

@Khan -- Do you know the plan in toto and its costs to the nations and the consumers? Will it make Pakistan a competitive economy? Will China be an iron brother forever? What is there for China in this?!

Think over or ask questions!

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gul-e-napaid

Oct 01, 2017 06:00pm

what is Nawaz Sharif,s picture doing here with China.s premier. NS has been convicted of a moral crime, not disclosing his assets and facing criminal charges on corruption and looting public treasury. He has no place in the government business now.

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WASEEM

Oct 01, 2017 06:03pm

why Nawz pic on front when Supreme Court of Pakistan has declared him a dishonest person?

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Omar

Oct 01, 2017 06:21pm

@wahid By that you mean working hard , showing up on time, less corruption,keeping your promise...... I AM READY.

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vorshal

Oct 01, 2017 06:22pm

@ARSHAD ,Canada -- Does it make sense?!

We started at the same time. Just see where we are and where you are. Also, check the projections in the next 5 to 10 years!

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Hafiz Saeed Masood Azhar

Oct 01, 2017 06:35pm

Fantastic thing - CPEC will make Pakistan great again (like the Orange man says about evil US).

But there is one thing I hope the authorities are keeping in mind - we should not allow our Islamic culture and Urdu language to be over powered by Chinese culture and language. I don't want my grand kids to speak a language or behave in a manner I don't like or understand. We should always remember our raison-d'etre : we are the land of the pure and of believers in Islam.

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AHAQ

Oct 01, 2017 07:05pm

Good plan but needs some scrutiny. The article would have gone well without pictures of Nawaz. Khakani is the present PM not Nawaz. Unless this an old article re-furbished, picture should have been changed

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Nadeem

Oct 01, 2017 07:06pm

This is great! But please remove the pic of the disqualified PM from front page of this news and put Shahid Khaqan Abbasi's...

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iFTIKHAR

Oct 01, 2017 07:15pm

CPEC is a great initiative but Pakistan should kept in mind its own interests and play smartly as China

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Ahsan gul

Oct 01, 2017 07:16pm

We should be saying thanks to China for bringing Pakistan up to a secure internet stage. Previous or the current government has no desire to move our country forward. We cannot get out of money scams by the politicians or terrorists and terrorism roadblocks.
We need to pick educated young talented politicians as the old ones have one set of mind and they don't listen to new ways of doing.

There’s no chance China could betrayed in anyway due to many common grounds and mainly its own investment in Pakistan , It would’ve been great if India could join too instead of sitting out jealous!

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plundered but not battered

Oct 01, 2017 07:31pm

@Dilawar

With CPEC, or with any other project, the result can not be any different unless the corrupt and corruption are eliminated completely.

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RF

Oct 01, 2017 07:43pm

The use of point of sale machines needs to be made mandatory in certain places like petrol pumps, CNG stations and shops of all brands.

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Arshy

Oct 01, 2017 07:52pm

It would've been nice if India and Pakistan could work together on such a joint venture and uphold a cultural tie. All I see from Indian media is continuous attacks on Pakistan and multiple stereotypes. I just saw an interview with Musharraf and it was sad to hear the Indian commentators opinions so vastly aggressive towards Pakistan and completely racist. I hope indias future doesn't turn out as ugly and pakistans past. The trajectory of the two countries is starkly different where Pakistan is heading towArds a more civilized and mature population wanting to be rid of radicalism and India is nurturing Indian extremism in the garb of nationalism

No one in their right mind will want to be digitally connected with China, which controls all information. Freedom of access to every information good and bad is very essential for any economy that wants to be knowledge based.

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Mohammed Daud

Oct 01, 2017 09:08pm

@D Dash Whenever the question of CPEC comes up, we see most comments coming from India, it looks like our best well-wishers live only in India.

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Numan

Oct 01, 2017 09:12pm

Why are Indians so 'concerned'? This concerns Pakistan only.

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Mohammed Daud

Oct 01, 2017 09:19pm

@Syed Fasih Ur Rahman Brother Syed, the Work-in-Progress on CPEC in Pakistan, is perpetual Cramp, Pain, Earthquake, Chill in India. You need to be very careful, India and RAW agents are bent to sabotage CPEC at any cost, look at their adverse comments under the fake Muslim names.

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Peace2

Oct 01, 2017 09:21pm

@Arjob Mukherjee : India can also make a good impression by embracing a friendly policy instead of doing their utmost to destabilize Pakistan through cross-border terrorism.

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solat

Oct 01, 2017 09:40pm

lol Interesting to see that any CPEC news and you see many Indians giving advices to Pakistan.

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aga Khan

Oct 01, 2017 09:43pm

@Wahid; ' Chinese Cultural Imperialism" That indeed will be good for us Pakistanis; Chinese are good to control the population growth and will force us to follow their advise - which aside being sarcastic, we need it badly - our demand vs supply chain is broken in all aspects and in part it is due to our population growth.

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mukul

Oct 01, 2017 09:57pm

I am an Indian. Quite honestly this is fantastic for Pakistan. The world of tomorrow will be an inter connected one and most opportunities will be created through a digitally connected eco-system. Some concerns about Chinese controlling Pakistani internet space are bit over the top. Pakistan needs to create a strong telecom authority that can regulate or rather keep internet free. Not impossible at all !
The real opportunity will be for Pakistani entrepreneurs to build businesses ground-up if they have the technical and business skills. If they don't, others will invest and benefit from the opportunities 200 million internet consumers will create.
This is exactly the trend across the world - Softbank from Japan and Alibaba group from China are biggest investors in Indian start-ups. Silicon valley funds are investing in all emerging markets. Overall, great for Pakistan and its people !

@NK - Which countries have Chinese “colonised”? Forger China, which countries has US colonised - the only superpower for decades?

Chinese themselves are enjoying the trappings of Western way of life and consumerism fast. You are still in the time wrap of Raj days - get over this mindset. The era of vast empires is over now...that is history. Hitler was the last one to attempt that and look what happened.

@Khan – It seems you were spot on.

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Farhan

Oct 01, 2017 10:07pm

I am still not understanding if everything is China is doing then what we are doing? After 70 years a communist nation is building us where as we fought with communists with tooth and nail since 70s. We made special laws to ban communist parties in Pakistan. Today China is architecting, designing , engineering and even putting their labor force on our ground. China is the only country in the world which doesn’t give a dollar free to anyone. Most of China’s old neighbors had bad taste of China relationship. We neither had a help from China in all our wars. What is this our obsession to get everything from China ?

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Nasser

Oct 01, 2017 10:08pm

But will the benefit go to Pakistan nation, given all the corruption and non-transparency of all the institutions and the Zardari- Sharif network?

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ahmed

Oct 01, 2017 10:08pm

By comments it is crystal clear that Indians are not liking this lol

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Ali

Oct 01, 2017 10:09pm

Pakistan - made in China

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Ask King

Oct 01, 2017 10:13pm

Just read thru again, this will be game changer for Pakistan...
way to go .. good for Pakistan!
I wonder why India Iran Kazakhstan or other countries not making similar deal with China?

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AA

Oct 01, 2017 10:39pm

@D Dash Chinese labor is cheap in China not in Pakistan, each Chinese living in. Pakistan has 10 times costly than a local help due to the provision of lodging, transportation and security. Businesses do not have nationality, they thrive on profits by reducing costs. The sole purpose of CPEC is to reduce cost. The examples are already there to see, coal mining in That has Pakistani to Chinese ratio of 8 to 2. In other projects being built local engineers are sent to China on employers cost for training in linguistics after recruitment.

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Raja Farhat Abbas

Oct 02, 2017 12:16am

@ahmed ...Indians are hating this.! :-)The more they are jealous
that should tell us we are on the right track.!

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dkm

Oct 02, 2017 04:43am

People will loose their favorite subject on internet!!!

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Lootra

Oct 02, 2017 05:32am

@Ask King Did you not read that Indian companies already own the technology or are stakeholders? Why would we want to depend on anyone else?

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THE MORNING STAR

Oct 02, 2017 05:59am

Hard to figure out but if the Indians say it not good for Pakistan may be we should listen. Its about foreign investments. We know Chinese companies own 80% of smart phone in India. So how come.

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V. Govindarajan

Oct 02, 2017 06:22am

Nice to know such progressive initiatives. Best wishes. Only one genuine concern to be noted is that everything is dominated by one country. Is that good for Pakistan? This question is something you have to seriously review & decide what is best for Pakistan.

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LAHORI KID

Oct 02, 2017 06:28am

The existing fibre optic network through which Pakistan connects to the world has been developed by a consortium that has Indian companies either as partners or shareholders. Our government just figured this out?

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dkm

Oct 02, 2017 07:39am

@Farhan your one in 200 million

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PAK-OZ

Oct 02, 2017 08:36am

all neighbours are gathered here to comment negative about CPEC. like always

jealousy??

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Rana Iqbal

Oct 02, 2017 10:37am

@Shah Noor This CPEC idea is of Chinese Govt. Pakistan agreed, joined and initiated in Mushraf era, some projects started in Zardari days and so much so the Pak Army is guarantor of the whole CPEC. Where this corrupt Nawaz Sharif comes is only the media publicity. NS govt. spent billions of rupees to bribe media channels for creation of "visionary and fast track development" image of this corrupt family and its gang of looters.

CPEC is a small portion of China's OBOR which connects 60 nations. Do you think that it was your so called visionary leader who guided China and all 60 nations to conceive and execute OBOR? Even in future, any Pak govt. will be working with China as its our national policy.

@Ahmed where is Indian poverty came into this ? India already has LTE network,whole of South Asia and Indian Ocean countries are using Indian network including pak , suddenly after 2 decades feeling not safe . Why don’t pak ask for quantum network which is safest in the world?

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BAXAR

Oct 02, 2017 12:26pm

@Farhan "I am still not understanding if everything is China is doing then what we are doing? " You are commenting about what China is doing. That seems to be the major preoccupation. Who is stopping you from doing anything else?

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Om Prakash Verma

Oct 02, 2017 12:44pm

CPEC not in Pakistan interests.

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DR. RAFIQUE AHMED KHAN

Oct 02, 2017 02:40pm

If we stay loyal and set own house in order, there is no worry from any front. Let's offer complete support to China, but at the same time keep our sensors open. Pak Army shall always be keeping a close eye, ensuring that interest of Pakistan is well protected. Indeed, as a nation, we need to come out of our comfort zone and take part in all activities whole heartedly and transform ourselves into an honest and hard working nation. Pak Army Zindabad, Pakistan Paindabad.

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KS

Oct 02, 2017 03:07pm

Surveillance, Surveillance, Surveillance !!!

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Oommen

Oct 02, 2017 11:15pm

In most projects, only Chinese financial institutions, companies and workers benefit from these kind of "deals". (Even in very poor African countries and Asian countries like Lanka)

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SyedChaudhtyGangadinKhan

Oct 02, 2017 11:54pm

Pakistanis are visionaries and know how to control their future. Thanks to Jinnah for creating Pakistan.

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SyedChaudhtyGangadinKhan

Oct 02, 2017 11:57pm

@D Dash : Roads are enough. You can drive around in a Chinese electric car and enjoy the scenery. 8% interest is peanuts for a thriving country like Pakistan.

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Anirban

Oct 03, 2017 12:02am

I feel anything that brings development and eases peoples lives should be supported and encouraged. I am Indian citizen and I feel if these steps help Pakistan then by all means do not listen to critics. In this world of propaganda and internet control, countries like Pakistan and India will be under censorship/ control by other nations. Till we become self reliant, its all the same. So go ahead Pakistan and develop engineers who can work from this setup and create your own telecommunications network in future.... that is important.... cultural revolution happens and passes... nothing to fuss about...

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jamshed

Oct 03, 2017 12:37am

@wahid There is no such thing as "cultural imperialism". Subcontinent through the centuries was invaded and if any anyting interacting with different cultures bring knowledge, new thinking and understanding. Chinese are learning English.

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jamshed

Oct 03, 2017 12:47am

@karar People who criticize China are mostly Indians, .Unfortunately they think they are last word when it comes to China/Pakistan colloboration.They conviently ignore China's trade with India is 4:1 in China's favor and the gap is increasing. Chinese friendship is a win-win for Pakistan and learning Chinese is a plus in our enviornment where so much technology influx is from China.

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jamshed

Oct 03, 2017 12:53am

@Durgesh So you Mr. know it all has the last word? Wrong, because you do not know the technical help China is providing to Pakistan. Go to China and "experience" the Chinese experience first hand.

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jamshed

Oct 03, 2017 01:01am

@D Dash Please first tell us where you get this 8%,the source etc; on this forum Indians have quoted even 18%.BTW you people never mention India's huge trade deficit with China that India's ecomists and expert now calling alraming.It is has crossed $50B. Please be objective when talk about China wrt Pakistan. Don't loose sleep on issues that do not effect you.

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jamshed

Oct 03, 2017 04:00am

@vorshal Don't live by your projections,live what has been achieved and don't harp !! BTW we are also much aware and well informed what India has done in last 20 years and if I am not wrong the recent projection of 7-8 percent growth could not be achieved as the latest statistics show 5-6 % growth in Indian economy in the last several quarters no wonder your PM made some changes in his cabinet to bring fresh ideas that will to boost up the growth to 8%. No country has achieved Japan's early fifties,sixties and seventies economic performance but for the last 30 years has seen back to back recessions no one mentions or notice. China on the other hand was under developed, went through massive polical upheavals (cultural revolution) way behind India and now second only to US in GDP(6 times India) and it is only matter of time that it will surpass US. Compare India with China not with Pakistan.

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jamshed

Oct 03, 2017 04:22am

@Feroz In this age no entity or country can deny access of information to other.Pakistan,its people by nature and temprament are a lot freer, will challenge and have defied dictaorships, bulldozed sham democracy exposed politicians their incompetencies and corruptions time and again.Watch what people discuss on dozens of TV channels and the proof is that
courts have booted a sitting prime minister out. Remove your blinders and be a little objective !!

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jamshed

Oct 03, 2017 04:23am

@Om Prakash Verma How do you know? Please elaborate.

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Udayan Mitra

Oct 03, 2017 06:19am

@Farooq :

Did they really? The Indian subcontinent accounted for 23% of global GDP when the British came and about 2% when the British left. Let's not be apologists for colonialism; if Indians and Pakistanis agree on one thing, it's the mass suffering experienced by our people due to colonial depredations.

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subh

Oct 03, 2017 07:28am

@Khan You do not have to listen to fake concerns, you will see the impact in your life time so enjoy the ride !!!

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jamshed

Oct 03, 2017 11:02am

@V. Govindarajan It is not that China is helping Pakistan only. China is in every corner of Africa working on mammoth projects so the whole continent could not be wrong. As far as Pakistan our economic relationship is more than 50 years old when China was a modest economy with limited means to help. The military cooperation even older.It is the CPEC that has drawn international attention but alarm in only one country and that is India. Rest of the world has pretty much welcomed it. And America's so-called leadership role scaring third world countries with communist bogey has evaporated for ever. While US divided the world through useless military pacts and camps China has done what it has for long time for Pakistan - Help build our country's world class infrastucture that after CPEC completion would transform Pakistan and (hopefully) will attract foreign investment.

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Questioner

Oct 04, 2017 02:22am

One of the best parts is the establishment of Data centres. We need a robust, organized data management and governance strategy for govt data. This includes mechanisms for access control and service provision and regulation.

I have seen govt depts and officials using Gmail and Hotmail for official business. This is unacceptable.

We should develop a govt cloud to provide IT services and resources on an as-needed basis to govt depts.

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Hasan

Oct 04, 2017 04:37am

@jamshed

Ameen, ameen and ameen. The only way to silence the chattering excitable hindustanis is with a firm hand and some sobering facts. Good work!

Hasan

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jamshed

Oct 04, 2017 04:44am

@Justice NARADA MUNI It is Indians who post false information and highly exaggerated numbers about CPEC.